Wednesday, December 16, 2009

RIP Roy E. Disney. The former head of Disney Animation died of cancer today at 79. Sources: CNN, BBC

Health News:* An iPhone app is turning out to be a great digital stethescope for sending doctors diagnostic information. Source: The Independent* Scientists have unlocked the genetic code for skin and lung cancers. Source: BBC* Levels of leptin, a hormone that controls appetite, have been linked to Alzheimer's. Source: BBC* Drinking coffee & tea (even decaf) appears to help prevent Diabetes. Source: BBC* An extract from the spice turmeric (curcumin) has been shown to kill cancer cells. Source: BBC* Scientists have found a way to stop proteins that cause leukemia. Source: BBC* Scientists have found an antibody that can reduce internal bleeding after an injury. Source: BBC* Researchers have found a gene marker that may allow early testing for lung cancer. Source: Yahoo

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Joe Haldeman has been named a Grand Master of Science Fiction. While my favorite books of his (Mindbridge & Marsbound) are not the most famous ones, it is well deserved. Sources: Whatever, Locus, SF Signal

Thursday, December 3, 2009

SyFy's Alice miniseries starts this Sunday. Generally non-spoiler reviews/articles are available at i09, Zap2It, and SciFi Wire if you are debating watching or not.

Jeremiah season 2 is finally coming to DVD, although it will be part of the new Manufacture-on-demand product line from Amazon.

The final David Tennant Doctor Who episode will air on BBC America on January 2nd (which makes 3 Saturdays in a row for new Doctor Who in the US). Sources: Zap2It, FutonCritic

There is a list out (from Reuters care of Zap2It) of the 10 most watched shows of the decade (since we are now less than a month from the end). Of these, I saw #1, I think I might have seen #6, and I wasn't even interested in the rest. For the most part, the shows people watch baffle me.